Brentford duo ‘closer’ to return from injury, says Frank

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has given an update on Bees duo Aaron Hickey and Igor Thiago ahead of the Premier League clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday; Frank: “Everyone is speaking about Europe and that’s tough – if we want any ambition about that, we need to win on Saturday, against a team that also needs to win on Saturday!”

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has given an update on Bees duo Aaron Hickey and Igor Thiago, who are nearing a return to first-team action.

Hickey has been unavailable since October 2023, while Thiago has played just four times since his move from Club Brugge in the summer, with the most recent of those coming against Newcastle in December.

Frank was also pleased that a number of first-team players featured for Brentford Under-21s against Sheffield Wednesday Under-21s on Monday in a 1-1 draw at Gtech Community Stadium, including Hakon Valdimarsson, Rico Henry, Ji-soo Kim, Michael Kayode, Mathias Jensen, Paris Maghoma, Yunus Konak and Gustavo Nunes.

“Everyone is available that was available last week for the Arsenal game,” the Brentford head coach revealed.

“A few players got some valuable minutes playing on Monday – Rico, Mathias and Gustavo, among others.

“Also, Igor Thiago is getting closer and Aaron Hickey is getting closer, so it all looks good.”

Looking to the clash with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, Frank stated that it’s one the Bees “need to win” if they want any chance of finishing in a European spot this term.

“We have plenty to aim for still,” said the Dane. “The simple one to aim for is to just finish as high as possible, and everything is still there for us – a top-10 finish would be fantastic for the club.

“Everyone is speaking about Europe and that’s tough – if we want any ambition about that, we need to win on Saturday, against a team that also needs to win on Saturday!

“It’s going to be a good game.”

Brentford boss Thomas Frank has replaced Ivan Toney with two predators around the goal, writes MARTIN KEOWN

• Thomas Frank’s Brentford are fighting for the top half after coming 16th in 23-24
• He has developed one of the most potent attacking duos in the Premier League
• LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Should Marcus Rashford leave Man United to spearhead Aston Villa’s attack? 

Thomas Frank can only be admired for what he is achieving year-on-year at Brentford.

Despite losing England striker Ivan Toney for £40million to the riches of Saudi Arabia he has had managed to develop one of the most potent attacking duos in the Premier League in Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa.

This lethal pair have scored 31 league goals between them this season – only Mohammed Salah and Luis Duiz have combined for more goals for one team with 38 and they are about to be crowned league champions.

Mbeumo and Wissa are turning into predators around the goal and feed off each other exceptionally well. Both are blessed with pace and love to drive at but it’s quality of their finishing that’s now catching the eye.

In previous seasons, Thomas Frank would flip-flop between a back four and a five, only switching to a five when he felt he had to concede possession to a better team but has only done that a handful of times this season and has now developed a team that is more comfortable on the ball.

Mikkel Damsgaard has been key to that growth. When Brentford lost Christian Eriksen, that slowed down their development without a player of his quality to build the play.